Changes needed: how HSV could line up against Wolfsburg | OneFootball

This Saturday, HSV heads to Wolfsburg for a crucial away game. Here are the expected line-ups.

The feeling of two consecutive Bundesliga defeats had almost vanished from the memory of Hamburg. Last autumn, they suffered three losses in a row against Leipzig, Wolfsburg, and Cologne. But since then, HSV has been remarkably stable and consistently scored points – until the start of the current English week.

Against the top teams from Leipzig and Leverkusen, they were defeated twice within three days. Accordingly, dissatisfaction was high in the Hanseatic city, and the pressure is equally high before the basement showdown at VfL Wolfsburg (Saturday, 3:30 PM). The lead over the seventeenth place in the table should be defended, ideally even expanded.

It's clear: This requires some personnel changes. In front of the undisputed Daniel Heuer Fernandes, the back three will likely consist of Luka Vuskovic, Daniel Elfadli, and Jordan Torunarigha. The recently underperforming Warmed Omari would have to move to the bench.

After serving a yellow card suspension, Miro Muheim returns to the left wing-back position, while William Mikelbrencis has the best chances on the right. His competitor Bakery Jatta will be absent for several weeks due to injury, whereas the former regular Giorgi Gocholeishvilli is currently experiencing a severe dip in form.

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HSV: Lokonga and Otele poised for starting XI return!

In the central midfield, a starting XI comeback for Sambi Lokonga is on the horizon. The sports-wise crucial Belgian was recently brought on twice as a substitute after recovering from an injury. There is no way around the ever-present Nicolai Remberg at his side.

Nur die Raute – All news about HSV

For Fabio Vieira, Lokonga's return likely means a shift to a more forward position or back into the right half-space. Ransford Königsdörffer would, in this case, move from the wing to the center of the attack. On the left offensive side, signs point to an appearance by Philip Otele. The winter newcomer is available again after a short injury break against Leverkusen.

In contrast, the extremely weak Rayan Philippe against the Werkself must take a seat on the bench. The same likely applies to Jean-Luc Dompé, Robert Glatzel, Yussuf Poulsen, and homegrown Otto Stange.

The expected HSV starting XI at a glance: Heuer Fernandes – Mikelbrencis, Elfadli, Vuskovic, Torunarigha, Muheim – Remberg, Lokonga, Vieira, Otele – Königsdörffer

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.